Moral Reconation Therapy in New Bedford, MA
New Bedford Drug Treatment Centers knows that addiction treatment has never been a one-size-fits-all endeavor. In fact, it not only needs to involve a wide variety of treatments, but also has to be customized to suit each individual going through addiction treatment. One of the best treatment options to incorporate into a comprehensive drug treatment program is Moral Reconation Therapy (which is also known among addiction treatment professionals simply as MRT).
Defining Moral Reconation Therapy
Moral Reconation Therapy is a therapy that focuses on the mental side of addiction and is classified as a cognitive-behavioral therapy option. The term “conation” in therapeutic terms, refers to a person’s conscious decision-making and how a person directs their own behaviors. Based on this definition, “reconation” therefore refers to changing the ways that a person makes decisions and intentionally changing and controlling behaviors.
The Underlying Ideas of Moral Reconation Therapy
The basic premise upon which Moral Reconation Therapy was built is that people with addictions to drugs or alcohol base their decisions of an overwhelming desire for instant gratification and to experience pleasure while avoiding anything painful or uncomfortable. As such, a person with a drug addiction will abuse drugs or alcohol based on the immediately pleasurable sensation that these substances provide. However, they do not consider the consequences of such an action like damage to health and relationships, financial difficulties, legal troubles, and the like.
Of course, when the drug works its way out of the addict’s system, they will experience the negative side effects of “coming down” (i.e. withdrawals). Because this is painful and unpleasant, the addicted mind will decide that consuming the addictive substance is the swiftest way to experience those pleasurable sensations again. This creates a vicious cycle of self-destruction and poor decision making.
How Moral Reconation Therapy Breaks the Cycle
Moral Reconation Therapy seeks to break the cycle of addiction by helping a person develop their reasoning skills and developing what is known as a higher moral reasoning. This means that a person is able to see the bigger picture in their decision-making, taking into account how their actions will affect themselves and others, the long-term ramifications of a decision, how their choice fits in with social norms and legal constructs, and whether their behavior will help them pursue their personal goals and purpose in life.
In Moral Reconation Therapy a recovering addict will begin the process of recovery by developing honesty. To develop a sense of higher reasoning as well as have positive self-esteem and self-regard, a person needs to be honest with themselves and the people who support them. Once honesty is established, then trust forms, and positive changes can follow. There are 16 total steps in the Moral Reconation therapy process, starting with honesty and building up to having an expansive ability for higher moral reasoning and decision-making.
If you think that Moral Reconation Therapy may be an appropriate treatment option to include in your overall addiction treatment and recovery program, then you are in luck. New Bedford Drug Treatment Centers offers Moral Reconation Therapy in connection with holistic addiction treatment programs. Give us a call at (508) 645-6878 with questions or to start your recovery process.
